This holiday season, whether you're visiting relatives — or escaping them — traveling can be a stressful part of the process. With proper preparation, however, it doesn't have to be. While we all know the importance of leaving early and packing light, a little creative thinking and TSA savvy can go a long way. Use these tips this season — or anytime — to keep more than your bags in check.

Fly Smart:

• Stay flexible. "You can get the best deals if you travel on major holidays like Christmas," says Connie Dyer, owner of Pack Your Bags Travel in Troy. "It can be more expensive if you travel the day before or day after a major holiday." Instead, traveling on a holiday or waiting two days before or after can save a bundle.

• Go off the beaten path. "Places like Las Vegas or New Orleans are quieter during December, so if you're planning a vacation, those might be good off-season destinations," Dyer says. "Also, the first two weeks of December are considered the 'dead' time before the holidays. This can be a great, alternative way to visit family outside of the usual rush."

• Stick to major hubs. "With colder weather, you want to make sure your connections are in cities that have a warmer climate, if possible," says Doug Myers, director of public affairs for Albany Airport, to — hopefully — avoid inclement weather delays.

• Price check. Sites such as kayak.com and yapta.com can help track the cheapest rates, Dyer says.

• Book early. "Prices go up during the holidays, so the earlier you book, the better," Myers says.

• Book together. "A common mistake people make is booking cheap flights and cheap hotels separately," says Cindy McKeehan of McGeary's Travel in Albany. "You save more if you bundle, especially if you're traveling with small children. Keep an eye out for family discounts."

Pack Smart:

• Keep a color scheme. "A lot of times you may have trouble deciding what to pack," Dyer says. "Stick to basics in basic colors, like black-and-white, and plan your wardrobe around that."

• Layer. "Want to save room? Don't pack that heavy sweater," Dyer says. "Wear a camisole with a top over it. Keep it light."

• Maximize carry-on luggage. "Most airlines have a luggage fee," Myers says. "Maximize carry-on. And be smart about what you pack, because there's a 50-pound limit. I've seen people throw clothes out as a result (of being outside the limit)."

• Ship luggage — and gifts — ahead. "FedEx and UPS are all great for shipping luggage ahead of time," McKeehan says. "You can do the same for gifts." Other shipping companies include The Luggage Club(theluggageclub.com)

• Don't wrap those gifts. If it's going through a security checkpoint and it can't be identified, Myers says, your handiwork will be lost.

Snack Smart:

• Pack plenty of nuts and energy bars. "Granola bars and even good old fashioned peanut butter and jelly is great," Dyer says. "You get your balance of protein and carbs."

• Don't chance it. "A snack is important to keep with you in case, God forbid, you risk missing an hour long connection that comes down to 10 minutes," McKeehan laughs.

• Visit the TSA website regularly. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is known for tracking prohibited items at checkpoints. Notes Myers, "The lists are always changing, so check the site regularly." Its list of prohibitive items also includes foods. "I'll never forget the time I had yogurt with me that was considered a 'questionable matter,'" McKeehan laughs. "I had to throw it out. It was my favorite kind of yogurt!" If they're more than the permitted 3.4-ounce size in clear, visible packaging, keep the jams and jellies home or ship them ahead. Learn more at tsa.gov.

• Keep those empty water bottles. Prevent beverages from splattering on you in-flight by pouring them into that now-empty water bottle you bought just before boarding. "They're especially nice for long, transcontinental flights," Dyer says. "You've got the cap, and the size will fit the beverage well."

• Sanitize your plane area. "People think you just need sanitization for the hotel room, for the remotes or the TV," Dyer says. "But a lot of germs are carried on planes. Bring antibacterial wipes with you and wipe down the seating area on the plane. There's nothing worse than being sick when you're traveling!"